FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What do norm-referenced tests compare?

1. Student performance against class averages

2. Student performance against a normative sample

3. Teaching effectiveness against educational standards

4. Curriculum effectiveness against state guidelines

The correct answer is: Student performance against a normative sample

Norm-referenced tests are designed to assess a student's performance by comparing it to a normative sample, which is a representative group of peers. This comparison is critical because it allows educators and administrators to see how an individual's performance ranks relative to that of others who have taken the same test. The normative sample typically consists of a diverse group of students that reflects the demographics of the population for which the test is intended. This contextualizes the score, giving information not just about what a student knows or can do, but how that performance fits within a broader framework of student achievement. Such tests help identify students who are performing above, at, or below the average level, which is essential for determining educational strategies and interventions. In contrast, the other options involve comparisons that do not align with the purpose of norm-referenced tests. For example, comparing student performance against class averages is more indicative of criterion-referenced assessments, while assessing teaching effectiveness or curriculum effectiveness focuses on broader educational standards and guidelines rather than individual student performance relative to their peers.